Gulf Digital News, 9 January 2026: Bahrain is preparing to strengthen its legal framework against money laundering and terrorism financing as the Shura Council moves to approve significant amendments to the kingdom’s anti‑financial crime legislation.

The Shura Council is expected to approve new amendments to its principal anti‑financial crime law during its upcoming 11 January session, according to the council’s foreign affairs, defence and national security committee. The amendments, set out in Bahrain Decree‑Law No. 36/2025, overhaul provisions of Bahraini Laws on Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism (Bahrain Decree-Law No. 4/2001). The revision is driven by urgent national and international commitments designed to ensure stronger compliance with global financial‑crime standards.

The enhanced framework aims to combat illicit financial flows by modernising regulatory tools, increasing oversight mechanisms, and aligning the kingdom’s obligations with evolving international counter‑terrorism financing requirements.

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